Weighing scale



Jan. 31, 1939a M. H. HANSEN WEIGHING SCALE Filed Sept. 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l M. H. HANSEN WEIGHING SCALE `Ian. 31, 1939. I

Filed Sept. 19, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 @2/am?" Marias /f/yZz/Zem ZF 28 4 BVM,

M, H. HANSEN WEIGHING SCALE Jan. 31, 1939.

Filed Sept. 19, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 fn lll.fllillllllfflfffllflfllllllr Patented Jan. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WEIGHING SCALE Marius H. Hansen, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Hanson Scale Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 19, 1936, Serial No. 101,592

11 Claims. (Cl. 265-68) This invention relates to spring scales, and like structure and preferably includes a portion of particularly to the type commonly termed sheet metal having a horizontal U-shaped cross household or kitchen scales. section, thus forming a casing 9 including a front Then general object of the invention is to pro- Wall I0, as well as side walls II and I2. The lower vide a scale of inexpensive construction which edge portions I3 of the front and side Walls are 5 shall, however, be accurate in operation even flared outwardly in order to form a more stable though the article being weighed may not be posisupport and improve the appearance of the cas-v tioned centrally upon the platform. Low cost of ing. The scale mechanism unit B is insertable manufacture is preferably obtained by ccnstructinto the casing 9 through the open top wall ing the scale in units, each of which may be thereof and is detachably secured in position as 10 readily manufactured and assembled and the hereinafter described.

units quickly united and the necessary adjust- Cooperating relatively movable indicating ments effected to obtain accuracy in operation. members are preferably mounted on the casing 9 Further objects and advantages of the invenin such manner that they are operatively ention will become apparent as the following degaged by a suitable actuating mechanism in- 15 scription proceeds and the features of novelty cluded in unit B when the latter is positioned in which characterize the invention are pointed the casing. In the construction illustrated, the out with particularity in the claims annexed to indicating members include a rotatable dial I4 and forming a part of this specification. having a suitably numbered scale on the front For a better understanding of the invention, face thereof and supported by a shaft I5 jour- 20 reference may be had to the accompanying drawnaled in the front wall I0 of the casing and in ings in which the mid-portion of the' horizontally extending Figure 1 is an exploded perspective View of a bracket I6. The opposite ends of the bracket I6 scale, embodying the invention, and particularly are secured to the casing side Walls II and I2 illustrating the three principal units thereof. (Fig. 5). A segment of the scale on the dial I4 25 Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the scale is exposed to view through a sector-shaped apertaken in plane of the line 2 2 in Fig. 4. ture I1 formed in the front casing wa-ll I0. A

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the indicator piece of glass I8 (Figs. 4 and 8) is preferably semechanism actuating arm. cured in the aperture II. A stationary pointer or Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View taken in indicator member I9 cooperates with the dial I4 30 plane of the line 4 4 in Fig. 5. to indicate the load placed on the platform of the Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, the platscale. form being omitted and the supports for the The weighing mechanism unit B is provided platform being sectioned on the plane of line with a framework including a substantially rec- 5 5 of Fig. 4. tangular vertically disposed plate 20. This plate 35 Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the levers is detachably secured in position Within the casing of the scale mechanism. 9 by suitable screws 2I threaded in tapped holes Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional View on the line formed along edges of the plate 20 and passing I 'I in Fig. 5. through registering holes 22 formed in inwardly Fig. 8 is a generally horizontal section on the extending flanges 23 on the rear edges of the 40 line 8 8 of Fig. '7 casing 9. The plate 20 thus forms a rear wall for Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary sectional views the casing so that the Weighing mechanism is showing the mode of connecting and disconnectentirely enclosed. The weighing mechanism ing the platform from the scale mechanism. itself includes in general an arrangement for The invention has, for purposes of illustration, yieldingly resisting downward movement of the 45 been shown as embodied in a scale, particularly platform unit C when the latter is loaded so that adapted for household use. Referring rst to the displacement of the platform is proportional Fig. 1, it Will be seen that the scale comprises a to the load thereon and this displacement moveunit A constituting the major portion of the casment is transmitted through a suitable actuating ing or base, a unit B comprising all of the scale mechanism tothe rotatable dial I4. 50 mechanism except the rotatable indicating dial Ihe preferred weighing mechanism illustrated and its attached pinion which are mounted on includes a vertically disposed link or plate 24 the casing, and a unit C embodying the platform which is detachably but rigidly attached to the and its attached supports. platform unit C as hereinafter described, thus The casing or base unit A is of a generally boxin effect forming a depending projection there- 55 on. This plate 24 is yieldably supported for generally vertical movement on the supporting plate 26. This supporting arrangement includes a lower pivoted link 25 and an upper pivoted link 26. The link 25 is shown in the form of a generally rectangular plate having upwardly extending peripheral anges. The rear edge of the plate 25 is pivotally connected to the supporting plate 20 by a` pin 21, journaledA in suitable holes formed inverticallyextending edgeflanges 28 on the supporting plate 20. Ears 29 formed on the rear edge of the plate 25 engage the pin 21.

The front edge portion of the link or plate 25 is pivotally connected to the lower end portion of the vertically disposed plate ,24,` by means of a pin 30. 'Ihe ends of the pin 30 are journaled in side flanges formed on the plate 25 while ears 3| formed on the lower edge ofthe offset lower end portion 32 of the plate 24 surround the pin. The rear end of the link or plate 26 is similarly pivotally connected to the supporting plate 20 by a pin 33 having its ends journaled in flanges 28 and with its central portion connected to the plate 26 by ears 34, which are 'bent about the central portion of the pin. The link or plate 26 is generally triangular in shape (Fig.v 5) and the front end thereof is provided with a depending lug 35 which is pivotally connected to the upper portion vof the plate 24 'by a pin 36. Upon reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the pin 36 is engaged by rearwardly extending ears 31 struck 'ment mechanism by means of which the position of the link 24 may be varied to adjust the Zero setting of the dial I4 as hereinafter described. This adjustable supporting mechanism preferably includes a bracket39 formedV from aVU-shaped portion of sheet metal (Fig. 6) and having forwardly Vextending arms 40. Fig. 4, the upper hooked ends of the tension springs 38 engage holes 4| formed in theouter end portions of the bracket arms 40. The bracket 39 is pivotally supported on the baseY plate 20 by a pivot pin 42 journaled inthe Vflanges 28 and engaged by suitable ears 43 formed on the lower edge portion of the bracket. The Ypivotal position of the bracket 39 on its supporting pin 42 is adjusted by a bolt 44 connected to the upper edge portion of the bracket 39 and extending through an aperture in the plate 20. A compression spring 45 is interposed between the bracket 39 and the plate 20, one end of the spring being seated in a depression 46 formed in the supporting plate. A nut 41 threaded on the bolt 44 serves to adjust the position of the bracket 39. Thus, when the bracket arms 40 are moved upwardly, the springs 38 are also movedvupwardly as is the attached linkage including the links 24, 25 and 26. Y

The platform unit C includes a horizontal platform 48 preferably formed from a generally rectangular portion of sheet metal. An integral depending flange49 formed on the platform 48 extends entirely about the periphery thereof and overlies the adjacent side wa-llsof the casing 9. The ilanger'49 is disposed in spacedrelationto .the side walls of the casingso that there will be As best shownV in no frictional Contact therebetween in case of lateral displacement of the platform due to eccentric loading thereon, for example, while, at the same time, the scale is given a pleasing appearance. Also, the ange 49 aids in preventing the entrance of dirt or other foreign matter into the scale mechanism located within the casing.

The platform 48 is detachably secured to the vertically extending link orl plate 24 at spaced points. In the preferred construction illustrated, a U-shaped bracket 50 is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the lower side of the platform 48.V

This bracket includes depending spaced arms 5| having offset lower end portions 52 with slots 53 yformed therein. These lower end portions of the arms 5| are adapted to be inserted in spaced apertures 54 formed in the plate 24; Upon'reference to Fig, 1, it will be seen that the apertures 54 are formed at the edges between the front faces of the plate 24 and rearwardly extending side flanges 55 formed thereon. As shown in Fig. 9, the platform 48 is attached to the plate .24' by tilting the same at an angle and inserting the cifset lower end portions 52 of the arms 5i into the apertures 54 until they are arranged in the position shown in Fig. 10. The platform 48 is then moved downwardly so that the adjacent edge portions of the plate 24 are inserted into the slots 53. The flanges 55 on the plate 24 bear against the sides of the arms 5|, thereby preventing side tilting of the platformen its supporting plate.

The .engagement of the slots 53 with the plate 24 similarly prevents endwise tilting of the platform. It will be noted that the central portions of the arms 5| bear against the adjacent rear face of the plate 24 (Fig. 4) ,and that the extended lower end portions of the arms 5| also bear against the rear face of the plate 24. Further stability in the connection is had by providing rearwardly extending flanges 56 on the upper edge of the vertical plate 24. The side edges of these flanges or projections are provided with recesses l51 (Fig.

. 1) adapted to receive the bracket arms 5| on the platform 48 and the rear edges of the bracket arms engage the shoulder ends of the recesses 51. It will thus be seen that an exceptionally firm and rigid mounting for the platform is had even though it may be readily detached when required.

When an object to be weighed is placed on the platform 48 it will be displaced downwardly a distance proportional to the weight of the object, this movement being yieldingly resisted by the tension springs 38. The mechanism for transmitting this displacement movement to the rotary indicating dial I4 is preferably of such character, and cooperates with the supporting mechanism for the platform in such manner, that an indication proportional to the mean displacement of the platform will be had, irrespective of the eccentricity of the loading. In the preferred construction illustrated, this mechanism includes an actuating arm 69 (Fig. 3) having a triangular enlarged rear end portion 6| pivotally supported on the vertical supporting plate 20 by a pin 62. The ends of the pin 62 are journaled in flanges 28 (Fig. 8) and suitable ears 63 formed on the rear edge of the arm base portion 6| surround the pin. The arm 6D is connected to the supporting linkage for the platform by a link 64. The lower end of the link 64 is pivoted to the central portion of the plate or link 24 by the pin 30 which also serves to connect the plate 24 with the plate 25. The upper end of the link 64 is pivoted to a lug or extension 65 on the actuating arm 68 by a pin 66. The indicator mechanism actuating arm 60 is thus operatively connected to the plate 24 at a point intermediate the points of connection of the springs 38 to the platform extension formed by the plate 24 and is symmetrically disposed with respect to these spaced points. C'onsequently, if a load is placed eccentrically on the platform 48 so that it is tilted and one of the springs 38 stretched more than the other, the displacement of the actuating arm 60 due to the downward movement of the platform 48 and its attached plate or link 24 will be the mean displacement of the platform and thus the true weight of the load placed thereon will be indicated.

The actuating arm 60 extends through an aperture 24a in the plate 24 and is operatively connected to the dial I4 through an arcuate rack 61 meshing with a pinion 68, which is rigidly secured to the shaft I5 (Fig. 4). The rack 61 is guided for movement in a generally vertical plane by a lug 69 formed on the bracket I6 and bearing against the rear edge of the rack (Fig. 5). The rack 61 is connected to the actuating arm 6U in such a manner that any skewing or tilting of the arm 60 due to unavoidable looseness in the mechanism will not result in a similar displacement of the rack. This connection includes a rearwardly extending projection 10 formed on the rack 61, which is disposed in alinement with the arm 68, and pivotally connected thereto by a pin 1I passing through suitable ears formed on the extension 1I) and arm 60. The rack 61 and extension 18 are preferably formed from a single portion of sheet metal.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that downward movement of the actuating arm 60, due to a downward displacement of the platform 48 when loaded, will move the rack 61 downwardly about the axis of pivoted pin 62. This movement of the rack 61 will rotate the meshing pinion 68 and its attached indicating dial I4 so as to register the weight of the object placed on the platform. The zero setting of the dial I4 with respect to the fixed pointer I9 may be adjusted when the platform 48 is unloaded by the nut 41 on bolt 44. Thus, the nut 41 may be tightened or loosened, swinging the bracket 39 upwardly or downwardly as the case may be so as to permit the plate 24, as well as actuating arm 60, to move to a position in which the Zero reading on the dial I4 registers with the stationary pointer I 9.

The particular construction illustrated is especially advantageous in the manufacture of scales of the type described in large quantities. Thus, the several units A, B and C may be constructed separately and quickly assembled. In assembling the various units, the scale mechanism unit l. B is rst inserted within the casing unit A through the open top wall thereof and the plate 2D secured in position by screws 2|. A platform unit C is then detachably secured in position as hereinbefore described by inserting the slotted lower end portions of the bracket arms 5I in the apertures 54 formed in the plate 24. The zero reading of the indicator dial I4 is then set at the factory by the adjusting nut 41. If, during subsequent use, the spring 38 becomes stretched the dial may be reset from time to time as it becomes necessary. The particular arrangement of the rack 61 and its cooperating pinion 68 aids in the assembly operation described in that the rack 61 may be moved downwardly into mesh with the pinion 68 during the insertion of the weighing mechanism unit B in the casing without disturbing the various parts of the mechanism. It should also be noted that the relation of the Darts of the weighing mechanism to the platform and to the actuating arm for the indicator mechansm is such that a true indication of the weight of the object placed on the platform 48 will be had, irrespective of the eccentricity of the loading.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to this particular preferred construction, butL on the other hand the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A weighing scale comprising, in combination, .a supporting framework, a horizontal platform disposed above said framework, a vertically clisposed sheet metal plate rigidly but detachably secured to the lower side of said platform, tension springs connected to the lower corners of said plate and to` said framework for yieldingly resisting displacement of said platform when loaded, horizontally disposed links pivotally connected respectively to the upper and lower portions of said plate and to said framework to confine said Plate to substantially rectilinear endwise movement upon displacement of said platform, a movable visual indicating member having an actuating arm pivotally connected to said framework and extending through an aperture in said plate, and a link pivotally connected to said arm and to said plate midway between said springs for moving said arm an amount commensurate with the mean displacement of said platform irrespective of the eccentricity of the loading thereof.

2. A weighing scale comprising, in combination, a supporting framework, a horizontal platform disposed above said framework, means for yieldingly resisting displacement of said platform to limit the same to an amount proportional to the load thereon, a rotatable indicating dial having a pinion attached thereto and cooperating with a fixed pointer, a rack meshing with said pinion and guided for movement in a defined plane, a pivotally mounted actuating arm opera tively connected to said platform, a projecting arm on said rack disposed in alinement with said actuating arm, and means pivotally connecting said arms at a plurality of spaced points for relative movement therebetween about a longitudinally extending axis whereby skewing of said first named arm will not affect the plane of movement of said second arm.

3. A weighing scale adapted to be assembled from a plurality of component unitary structures, comprising, a box-like sheet metal base unit having an opening at the upper end thereof, a fixed indicator member and a cooperating rotatable indicator member mounted on said base, a pinion attached to said rotatable indicator member, a framework insertable into said base unit through said opening therein as a second unitary structure, a platform disposed above said base as a third unitary structure, yieldable means on said framework for supporting said platform, and an actuating mechanism for said rotatable indicator mechanism carried by said framework, said mechanism including a vertically disposed rack movable into meshing engagement with said pinion upon insertion of said framework unit into said base unit.

4. A weighing scale adapted to be assembled from a 4plurality of vcomponent unitary structuresL comprising, a U-shaped portion of sheet metal forming a base unit having front and Sidek walls with openings in the top and rear ofthe base unit, a framework insertable into said base throughl one of said openings and includingV a reari 'plate adapted to extend across said opening in the rear wall of said base unit, a spring biased vertically movable link mounted on said rear plateand constituting therewith a second unitary structure, a platform extending across the top of said base and detachably connected to said second unitary structure and forming a third unitary structure, and a dial mechanismrmounted on said base unit and including a movable member rpositioned for operative mechanical connection with said second' unitary structure upon the insertion thereof,

5. A weighing scale adapted to be assembled from a plurality of component unitary structures comprising a box-like sheet metal base unit having an opening therein affording access to the interior of the base unit, a framework detachably secured in said base and insertable therein through said opening, a weighing mechanism mounted on said framework as a second unitary structure, a platform extending across the top of said base and detachably connected to said weighing mechanism forming a third unitary structure, and a dial mechanism mounted on said base unit and including a movable member postioned for operative mechanical connection with said second unitary structure upon the insertion thereof.

6. A weighing scale comprising, in combination, a supporting framework, a horizontal platform disposed above said framework, a pair of depending arms rigidly secured to said platform in spaced relation, a vertically disposed plate-like member having spaced apertures therein adapted to detachably receive the lower portions of said arms, and means for yieldably supporting said member on said framework.

'7. A weighing scale comprising, in combination, a supporting framework, a horizontal platform, a U-shaped portion of sheet metal rigidly secured to the lower side of said platform and forming spaced arms depending therefrom, said arms having vertically disposed slots formed in the lowet` end portions thereof, a vertically disposed plate having spaced apertures therein adapted to receive said slotted ends of said arms with the ad- `iacent edge portions of the plate disposed in the slots, and means for yieldingly supporting said plate on said framework.

8. A weighing scale comprising, in, combination, a supporting framework, a horizontal platform, a U-shaped portionv of sheet metal rigidly secured to the lower side of said platform and forming spaced arms depending therefrom, said arms having vertically disposed slots formed in the lower end portions thereof, a vertically clisposed` plate having flanges thereon along the top and side edges thereof, said plate having apertures formed in the side edges thereof adapted to receive the slotted ends of said arms with the adjacent edge portions of they plate disposed in saidV slots; said flange along said top edge of said plate having recesses therein adapted to receive the adjacent intermediate portions of said arms when the ends thereof lare positioned in said apertures, said side and top flanges bearing against said arms to prevent tilting of said platform with respect toy said plate, and means for yieldingly supporting said plate in said framework.

9. A weighing mechanism adapted to be inserted as a unit in an open side of a scale casing comprising, a sheet metal plate adapted to form a closure for the open side of the casing, a vertical sheet metal plate adapted to be secured at spaced points along its upper edge to a platform assembly, said vertical plate having an aperture therein, linkage meansY for yieldingly supporting said vertical plate on said rst-named plate in spaced generally parallel relation thereto, an operating link extending through said aperture, and a rack on the outer end of said operating link positioned for engagement with a dial mechanism pinion upon the insertion of the unit in the casing.

10. A weighing mechanism adapted to be inserted as a unit in an open side of a scale casing comprising, a sheet metal plate adapted to form a closure for the open side of the casing and having inwardly extending flanges formed on the lateral edges thereof, a vertical sheet metal plate adapted to be secured at spaced points along its upper edge to .a platform assembly, said vertical plate having an aperture therein, means including a plurality of links extending between the lateral edges of said plates and pivotally mounted on said flanges for supporting said vertical plate on said rst-named plate in spaced generally .parallel relation thereto, an operating link extending through said aperture, and a rack on the outer end of said operating link positioned for engagement with a dial mechanism pinion upon the insertion of the unit in the casing.

l1.V A Vweighing mechanism adapted to be inserted as a unit in an open side of a scale casing comprising, a sheet metal plate adapted to form a closure for the open side of the casing and having inwardly extending flanges formed on the lateral edges thereof, a vertical sheet metal plate adaptedV to be secured at spaced points along its upper edge to a platform assembly, and linkage means for yieldingly supporting said' vertical plate on said first-named plate in generally parallel relation thereto, said linkage means including a generally horizontal sheet metal plate pivoted at its forward end to the lowercorners of said vertical plate and at its rearward end on said anges. MARIUS H. HANSEN. 

